This drop may be due to early detection, better treatments, and greater regard for factors such as some forms of hormone replacement therapy that were thought to increase the risk of cancer becoming more invasive. Luckily, there are many tools available to help professionals and their clients find happiness and beauty in their breasts.

There are four pillars of a healthy lifestyle: wholesome foods and good digestion, appropriate exercise, daily relaxation or meditation, and sufficient rest and sound sleep. In the Ayurvedic healing tradition, self-massage is considered passive exercise and is said to have many of the same benefits as that of an exercise class. Daily massage with oil, or self-abhyanga, is widely practiced in the Orient as one of the best paths to longevity and aging beautifully, but not so much in the West. But, just as massage is earning a reputation for being therapeutic rather than exotic, there is going to be acknowledgement that breast massage is one of the best things professionals can teach clients for breast health.

Ayurvedic massage has two unique characteristics. First, there is a full recognition that the skin is an organ of digestion, fully able to act as a delivery system for herbal medicines. As such, the massage medium, usually herbal or aromatic oils, is considered to be at least 50 percent of the treatment benefit. The second characteristic is the use of specific pressure points in the marma system that are closely related to the chakras.

The two oils favored for the breasts are a blend of equal amounts of castor, flax, and corn oils and an herbal oil made with mustard seed oil, pomegranate rind, and an essential oil blend known as amber. If these oils are not available, untoasted sesame oil or any good-quality organic oil will work. Apply a small amount of oil to the front of the neck, décolleté, and breasts before starting the massage.

Ayurvedic Breast Massage

1. With the head turned slightly to the left, use three fingers on the left hand to touch behind the right earlobe and massage the area in clockwise circles. This marma point, karnamula (1), is around the mastoid process, the little bump behind the ear lobe. Proceed to stroke down the side of the neck to the akshaka marma point (4), which is on the top surface of the right collar bone where it joins the breast bone, and apply light rotational pressure. Turn the head to the right and repeat the same stroke to the left side using the right hand. Repeat this process 15 times, alternating between the right and left sides of the neck. Perform 30 strokes in all.

The marma points that are touched by this stroke include:

1) Karnamula

2) Mantha – improves lymphatic circulation

3) Siramantha

4) Akshaka – stimulates lymphatic drainage.

2. With the head turned slightly to the left, use the left thumb or fingers to press down on the top surface of the right collar bone, from the breast bone out to the tip of the right shoulder. Turn the head to the right and repeat the same movement on the left side. If pregnant, apply this technique with very light pressure. Massage the skandadhara marma point (7) in the hollow in front of the shoulder joint by using gentle, circular clockwise pressure or a press and release action.

The marma points that are touched by this stroke include:

4) Akshaka and

7) Skandadhara – helps to ease tenderness in the breast and is particularly helpful for fibrocystic breasts.

3. Using rotational clockwise pressure, touch the hollow space behind the collar bone with the fingertips, starting again from the breast bone and moving up toward the top of the shoulders. Massaging under the collar bone can help reduce breast discomfort.

4. Starting under the right arm, press gently into the deep hollow of the armpit and apply rotational clockwise pressure into the kaksha marma point (5). Try pressing with the thumb, leaving the rest of the fingers on top of the shoulder. Do this movement three, five, or seven times and repeat it on the left side.

The marma point that is touched by this stroke includes:

5) Kaksha – helps with all breast problems including tenderness, mastitis, and fibrocystic conditions. It also activates the lymphatic system in the upper torso.

5. Touch the jatru marma point (6), which is at the top of the middle of the breast bone, and then touch hridayam (9), which is four finger widths below the top of the breastbone, approximately half an inch below the sternal angle. Press and release this point in a gentle, pumping action three, five, or seven times.

The marma point that is touched by this stroke includes: 6) Jatru

6. Press and release apastambha (8) in a gentle, pumping action three, five, or seven times. This point is between the ribs and the breast bone on both sides.

The marma point that is touched by this stroke includes:

8) Apastambha

7. Locate hridayam (9), which is midway between the top and bottom of the breast bone, roughly at the same level as the nipples. Apply gentle, rotational clockwise pressure to this marma and then proceed down the remainder of the breast bone and either side between the ribs with circular massage strokes.

The marma points that are touched by this stroke include:

9) Hrid-1, 2, and 3 and Hridayam – help relieve congestion in the breast tissue and enhance lymphatic circulation.

8. With the left hand on the right breast, stroke over the topside of the breast with the flat of the hand, moving from the breast bone towards the armpit and using the pressure that would be used to pet a cat. Using the right hand, repeat this movement over the left breast. Then, with the left hand, stroke the underside of the breast, starting at the breastbone and moving towards the armpit. Repeat this movement with the right hand on the left breast. Do these strokes in an alternating fashion; left hand over right breast and then right hand over left breast. Be sure to touch every part of the breast. Pay particular attention to the outer, upper quadrant of each breast, as this is the most common area for problems to arise. Be sure to end each stroke at the armpit.

9. Do 100 circular strokes around both breasts simultaneously, keeping the shoulders relaxed and projecting positive thoughts towards the self and breasts. The circles should cover the outer portion of the breast and the tissues just slightly above, below, and to the side of each breast. The circles should gradually get smaller and move toward the nipples. Massaging the area directly below the breasts stimulates blood circulation. Massaging the portion of the breast below the nipple increases sensuousness and a sense of self-confidence. This step helps to maintain a pleasant shape to the breasts. If both hands are used, circling one way and then the other, the movement of the shoulders works the lymphatic pumps.

The marma point that is touched by this stroke includes:

10) Stanya Mula – helps to clear breast abscesses, cysts, and fibro cystic tissue; ease breast tenderness; and regulate lactation.

10. Pull the nipples, using gentle pressure between the thumb and index fingers. Nipple stimulation excites the finest capillaries and lymph tissue in this area of the breast.

11. Always end any breast massage by repeating the massage of the kaksha marma, which was performed in step four.

This massage can be done weekly, monthly, or anytime there is discomfort. If prior breast surgery has been done for any reason, please ask a physician before doing this massage.